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Que alegria ver-te!

Que alegria ver-te!
What a joy to see you!
From Lesson 155:Os sentimentos (zangado, a vergonha)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about Que alegria ver-te!

Why is there no word for "a" in Que alegria?
In Portuguese, when you use Que to make an exclamation (like "What a...!"), you do not use the article um or uma. You just put Que directly before the noun. So, "What a joy!" is simply Que alegria!
Why is the pronoun attached to the end of the verb with a hyphen in ver-te?
In European Portuguese, object pronouns like te (you) normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen. This is the standard rule when the verb is in its dictionary form (the infinitive), like ver (to see).
Why isn't there a word for "to" before ver?
In English, we say "to see", but in Portuguese, the infinitive form ver already includes the meaning of "to see". You don't need to add an extra preposition like a or para between the exclamation and the verb here.
Can I use this phrase with anyone?
You should only use this exact phrase with friends, family, or children because te is the informal "you" (matching the tu form). If you were speaking formally to someone, you would need to change the pronoun and say Que alegria vê-lo! (to a man) or Que alegria vê-la! (to a woman).

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